When rookie running back Eddie Lacy left Sunday’s 38-20 victory over
James Starks
Washington in the first quarter with a concussion, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy didn’t hesitate to call on James Starks to take over.
Starks didn’t disappoint his head coach either. He ran the ball 20 times for a career high 132 yards and a touchdown to become the first Packers player to rush for 100 yards in a regular-season game in nearly three years. It had been 44 regular-season games. It was also Starks most productive day since he rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries as a rookie against Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.
The carry that put Starks over the 100-yard mark was a 32-year touchdown scamper with less than three minutes left in the third quarter.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on running back James Starks :17
AUDIO: Aaron Rodgers says it’s great to see Starks have a big day :24
Starks entered the game after Washington safety Brandon Meriweather hit Eddie Lacy with the crown of his helmet, causing Lacy to receive a concussion.
Later, it was Meriweather who tried to tackle Starks while leading with the crown of his helmet. But Meriweather wound up injuring himself, suffering a concussion of his own, which forced him out of the game.
The Packers have repeatedly heard about their lack of rushing success and the fact that they’ve operated for such a long time without a 100-yard rushing performance. The monkey is now off their back. We’ll see if it leads to more rushing success down the road.